Export tax rebates are not a single step, but the result of the whole chain: "customs export declaration — foreign exchange collection — rebate filing." If any link breaks, the rebate will not come through.
What the full chain looks like
Step one: declare the export at customs and obtain export documents such as the customs declaration form and bill of lading.
Step two: collect foreign exchange from the overseas customer and obtain the foreign exchange collection voucher.
Step three: file in the export tax rebate filing system, submitting invoices, customs declaration forms and other materials.
Step four: the tax authority processes the rebate after review and approval.
The four steps are interlinked; if any voucher is missing, the chain breaks.
Three time-limit concepts for rebates
Filing deadline: file within the prescribed period; missing it may affect the rebate.
Record-keeping deadline: keep document record-keeping materials for the prescribed period.
Foreign exchange collection deadline: some situations have requirements on the timing of collection, which must be handled per tax and foreign exchange rules.
All the above time limits are subject to the latest rules of the tax authorities and foreign exchange administration departments.
Manufacturers and trading companies use different rebate methods
Manufacturers mostly use the "exemption, offset and refund" method, while trading companies mostly use the "exemption and refund" method.
The two methods use different calculation bases, but both rely on the same set of export and foreign exchange collection vouchers.
The current state of foreign exchange collection and "verification"
The export foreign exchange collection verification system has been abolished, replaced by monitoring of companies' foreign exchange collection by the foreign exchange bureau.
Companies still need to declare foreign exchange collection truthfully and promptly; abnormal situations will be included in monitoring.
When filing for a rebate, the foreign exchange collection situation is an important basis for verification.
What to prepare for rebate filing
| Stage | Main materials | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Export | Customs declaration form, bill of lading, invoice, packing list | Information on all four documents must match |
| Foreign exchange collection | Bank foreign exchange collection voucher | Amount must match the customs declaration |
| Filing | Rebate filing form, input invoices | File on time |
| Record-keeping | Document record-keeping materials | Keep for inspection |
Rebate rates depend on the commodity
Current export tax rebate rates fall into three tiers: 13%, 9% and 6%.
Which tier applies is determined by the export commodity's code and policy, and has nothing to do with the customer or channel.
The specific rebate rate is subject to the latest announcement by the tax authorities.
Common break points in the chain
The customs declaration amount and the foreign exchange collection amount differ over the long term, with no clear explanation.
Document information does not match, so it fails review.
Late filing, missing the rebate deadline.
Input invoices are non-compliant, so the rebate is rejected.
Information on the four documents does not match each other, and input does not match export.
A rebate is the return, per regulations, of input tax already paid at the export stage; only when the chain is clear does the rebate come quickly.
